Separable Dog Toy

Abstract

The separable dog toy has at least two components which are separable or partially separable from each other. The segments may be completely separable, or the segments may be in some way tethered together such that when the segments are separated from each other they remain connected by a connecting element. The separable segments have coupling features which enable the segments to be coupled to each other. The segments may have cavities into which the user may insert dog treats or mini-toys for the dog to find while playing with the toy. After the dog has removed and eaten the treats the owner may insert new treats into the cavities so that the dog may extract them again. This method of use is intended to keep the dog interested and engaged with the toy leading to increased stimulation and enjoyment for the dog.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pet toy, comprising:
 a. A first segment having a volume, the first segment having a plurality of first coupling features disposed on the first segment exterior.   b. A plurality of secondary segments each having a volume, the secondary segments each having a plurality of secondary coupling features disposed on the secondary segment exterior, the secondary coupling features configured to reversibly couple with the first coupling features, the secondary segments having a plurality of secondary cavities disposed within the secondary segments, the secondary cavities each having a plurality of cavity openings and an interior cavity volume, the cavity openings being disposed on the secondary segment exterior.   
     
     
         2 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. A plurality of cavity openings on the secondary segment or segments are located such that when the secondary segments are coupled with the first segment, the cavity openings are covered by the first segment.   
     
     
         3 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a. A plurality of first cavities disposed within the first segment volume, the first cavities having a cavity opening and an interior cavity volume, the cavity opening being disposed on the secondary segment exterior.   
     
     
         4 . The pet toy of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. A plurality of tertiary segments, the tertiary segments having a plurality of tertiary coupling features configured to couple with the first coupling features. 
 
     
     
         5 . The pet toy of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. A plurality of tertiary segments, the tertiary segments having a plurality of tertiary coupling features configured to couple with the secondary coupling features. 
 
     
     
         6 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first coupling feature is an article of Velcro attached to the first segment, and the secondary coupling feature is an article of Velcro which is attached to the secondary segment.   
     
     
         7 . The pet toy of  claim 6 , wherein:
 a. The article of Velcro used for the first coupling feature is a continuous patch and the article of Velcro used for the secondary coupling feature is comprised of a plurality of patches which are disposed around the cavity opening.   
     
     
         8 . The pet toy of  claim 6 , wherein:
 a. The article of Velcro used for the secondary coupling feature forms a ring shape which encircles the cavity opening.   
     
     
         9 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first coupling feature and the secondary coupling feature form a ball-and-socket relationship, the first coupling feature forming a rounded ball shape and the secondary coupling feature forming a receiving socket shape.   
     
     
         10 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first coupling feature and the secondary coupling feature form a sleeve-and-insert relationship, the first coupling feature forming a sleeve to receive the secondary coupling feature, the secondary coupling feature forming an insert shaped to be inserted into the first coupling feature sleeve.   
     
     
         11 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first coupling feature and the secondary coupling feature form a sleeve-and-insert relationship, the first coupling feature forming an insert to be inserted into the secondary coupling feature, the secondary coupling feature forming a sleeve to receive the first coupling feature.   
     
     
         12 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first segment exterior and the secondary segment exterior are textile materials.   
     
     
         13 . A pet toy, comprising:
 a. A first segment having a volume, the first segment having a plurality of first coupling features disposed on the exterior of the first segment.   b. A plurality of secondary segments each having a volume, the secondary segments each having a plurality of secondary coupling features disposed on the exterior of the secondary segment, the secondary coupling features configured to reversibly couple with the first coupling features.   c. A connecting element, the connecting element having a first end and a second end, the first end having a first end coupling feature and being reversibly coupled to the first segment, the second end having a second end coupling feature and being reversibly coupled to the secondary segment.   
     
     
         14 . The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a. The first end of the connecting element is fixedly attached to the first segment, and the second end of the connecting element is fixedly attached to the secondary segment.   
     
     
         15 . The pet toy of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a. The attachment location of the first end to the first segment and the attachment location of the second end to the secondary segment are configured such that when the first segment is coupled to the secondary segment the first segment and secondary segment can envelope the connecting element.   
     
     
         16 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The first segment exterior and the secondary segment exterior are textile materials.   
     
     
         17 . A pet toy comprising:
 a. A first main body having a volume; the main body having a plurality of cavities, the cavities each having a plurality of cavity openings, the cavities each having an interior cavity volume, the cavity openings being disposed on the secondary segment exterior,   b. A plurality of mini-toys each having a volume, the mini-toys being sized and shaped such that they can be inserted into the main body cavities.   
     
     
         18 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The pet toy has one first segment and five secondary segments.   
     
     
         19 . The pet toy of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a. The pet toy has one first segment, four secondary segments, and one tertiary segment.